# Laser (dinghy)

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One-design sailing dinghy

ILCA ILCA 7 Development Designer Bruce Kirby & Ian Bruce Location Montreal, Canada Year 1969 Design One-Design Name ILCA Boat Crew 1 Draft 0.787 m (2 ft 7.0 in) Hull Construction fiberglass Hull weight 58.97 kg (130.0 lb) LOA 4.23 m (13 ft 11 in) LWL 3.81 m (12 ft 6 in) Beam 1.37 m (4 ft 6 in) Rig Sails Mainsail area 7.06 m2 (76.0 sq ft) Racing D-PN 91.1 RYA PN 1100 TBD PHRF 217 [edit on Wikidata]

The **Laser** (also known as **ILCA**) is a class of [single-handed](/source/Single-handed_sailing), [one-design](/source/One-design) [sailing dinghies](/source/Dinghy_sailing) using a common hull design with three interchangeable rigs of different sail areas, appropriate to a given combination of wind strength and crew weight. [Ian Bruce](/source/Ian_Bruce_(sailor)) and [Bruce Kirby](/source/Bruce_Kirby_(yacht_designer)) designed the Laser in 1970 and [Hans Fogh](/source/Hans_Fogh) designed sail with an emphasis on simplicity and performance.

The ILCA is a widely produced class of dinghies. As of 2023, more than 223000 boats worldwide had been built.[1] It is an international class with sailors in 120 countries, and an Olympic class since 1996. Its wide acceptance is attributable to its robust construction, simple rig and ease of sailing that offer competitive racing due to tight class association controls which eliminate differences in hull, sails, and equipment; the key pinnacles of the class, with a 1970s boat being identical to a boat made today.

The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) defines the specifications and competition rules for the boat but requires authorization by World Sailing, Performance Sailcraft Japan and PSA / Global Sailing who are known as legacy builders. The boats itself remains unchanged but is officially referred to as the **ILCA Dinghy**, due to a trademark dispute when the boat was called the Laser.

## History

In the 1967, Ian Bruce won [International 14 World Championship](/source/International_14_World_Championships) sailing on a Mark III boat designed by Bruce Kirby and build by Ian himself. After regatta Ian realised that the cost of regatta sailing was beyond the reach of most people, including himself. He started a side business called Performance Sailcraft in an attempt to produce a lower-cost [International 14](/source/International_14) using his championship-winning hull as a mold. However, after two years, and around 100 boats produced, the boat was still too expensive due to its sophisticated design.

In 1969 a marketing offshoot of Canada's [Hudson's Bay Company](/source/Hudson's_Bay_Company) asked Ian Bruce, then working as a Montreal product developer, to come up with proposals for a line of outdoor sporting equipment. Among the proposals listed as a “maybe” was a lightweight “cartopper” sailboat designed to be transported on the roof of a car. He had no background in marine design, so, knowing Bruce Kirby through racing in the International 14 and Finn classes and through personal acquaintance between their wives, he arranged a meeting at a yacht club in Ottawa where he asked Kirby whether he could develop a new design.

The other day Kirby was in his office as editor of [One-Design & Offshore Yachtsman magazine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sailing_World&action=edit&redlink=1). He received a phone call from Ian. Ian was describing required features of a car-topped dinghy. Kirby was doodling ideas on a yellow legal pad, as he always did during the phone calls. As they were talking Kirby went completely quiet. Ian asked him "Are you still there?" to which he responded "Yes I'm here. I've got a design." This sketch would be known as "the million dollar doodle".

The designer took to the drawing board and calculator and worked for a few days drawing a full set of hull lines. Then came the profile and plan views, with daggerboard, rudder and cockpit, and finally the sail plan. The whole package was sent off to Ian's home in Pointe Claire along with a note suggesting that if his client didn't want a sailboat, he should put the plans away, as someday “we might make a buck on this boat.”

Sure enough, the marketing group passed on it, so the drawings went into Ian's bottom drawer. Six months later, in April 1970, theirs big break came. The ­advertising director of One-Design & Offshore hatched the 'America's Tea Cup', a regatta for new and nearly new small boats. Monohulls had to retail for no more than $1,000 and multihulls for no more than $1,200. It would be held at the Playboy Club on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in October.

Kirby called Ian and suggested this would be the perfect vehicle for introducing the new boat. The prototype was originally named the "Weekender", for a lack of a better name the sail held the letters "TGIF", a common American abbreviation for "Thank God it's Friday". Ian originally intended to build two prototypes for testing, but despite efforts, he barely got one boat finished in time for the Tea Cup.

On the way to Lake Geneva, he picked up Hans Fogh who made a sail. The boat was assembled for the first time at the Playboy Club's beach by the three of them. Fogh helmed the prototype during competition placing second to an adaptation of the Flying ­Junior hull during the first day. He was unhappy with the set of his sail, and that evening he re-cut the luff curve. The next day, the sail looked better and he won the first race by a hefty margin. He was leading in what was to be the final race, but it was called for lack of wind.

After the regatta, the boat caught attention and Ian was ­inundated with requests from dealers and buyers.

In December 1970 Dave Balfour, a [McGill University](/source/McGill_University) engineering student, suggested the name Laser and contributed the Laser sunburst sail insignia. The Laser sailboat was officially unveiled at the New York Boat Show in 1971 where many orders were placed.[2][3]

Ian Bruce and Bruce Kirby agreed to put the boat into production with Ian manufacturing the craft and Kirby receiving royalties on each unit. As worldwide demand grew, they realized that licensing regional manufacturers would be more economical than exporting boats from Canada. These builders were granted licenses to use the confidential construction manual, which specified the technical standards for building the boat, as well as rights to use the LASER trademark in designated territories.[4][5]

In 1972, the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) was established.

In 1974 the first world championship was held in Bermuda. The same year [The National Film Board of Canada](/source/National_Film_Board_of_Canada) produced a 28-minute documentary directed by Andy Thomson called "The Boat that Ian Built".

In the early 1980s Performance Sailcraft International went bankrupt. Since then, the construction manual came under the joint control of ILCA, Bruce Kirby, and the licensed manufacturers that existed at that time. Each of the licensed manufacturers were allowed to acquire ownership of the LASER trademark in its territory.

In the late 1980s, a smaller sailing rig was developed for the Laser class. In 1992, 5.7 m2 radial rig was officially recognized as a second class-legal rig.

In 1993 Laser was chosen for the [1996 Summer Olympics](/source/1996_Summer_Olympics) in [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta) becoming a men's Olympic-class boat.

From 1997, an even smaller rig was developed in England. In 2001, 4.7 m2 rig was officially approved as third class-legal rig.

In 1998, Performance Sailcraft Europe granted ILCA certain rights to use the Laser Trademark for its activities pursuant to an intellectual property license in the 1998 agreement.

At the [2008 Summer Olympics](/source/2008_Summer_Olympics) in [Beijing](/source/Beijing) Laser Radial became a women's [Olympic](/source/Olympic_Games)-class boat.

In 2008, Kirby decided to sell his rights in Laser boat design and obligations under Builder Agreements to Global Sailing Limited. However Bruce Kirby Inc. did not sell the "Bruce Kirby" trademark, but at that point GS, Laser Performance Europe and Quarter Moon stopped paying royalties.

In 2010, Kirby requested that ILCA stop issue licence plaquets to LPE I QMI and the Builder Agreement was terminated, however manufacturers kept selling boats with his name as before.

This situation led to a lawsuit filed in March 2013 against LPE and QMI which ended compensation for trademark infringement and name misappropriating. ILCA and World Sailing eliminated requirement to have Builder Agreement. Since then neither LPE nor QMI sold Lasers with plaques that bore the Kirby's name. Opposing to this action Global Sailing created a separate class called Kirby Torch, which existed until 2014.

In the late 2010s, the European Commission along with several manufacturers pressured World Sailing and ILCA to implement antitrust review policy.

In 2016 ILCA announced release of a class-legal composite top mast section, which began to be used in 2017.

As of January 1, 2017 the use of electronic digital compasses that are not GPS enabled and boat or body mounted cameras is allowed. Since then the hiking strap support line can have one cleat and one turning point that are not attached to the hull or hiking strap.

In January 2018, the World Sailing Board commenced a re-evaluation of the equipment for the Men and Women One Person Dinghy for the 2024 Olympic Games. Between March and May 2019 the Evaluation Panel held trials between D-Zero, Laser, Melges 14 and RS Areo. The Evaluation Panel developed a scoring matrix with 80% for RS Areo, 69% for Laser, 54% for Melges 14 and 52% for D-Zero scores.

In 2018, Laser Performance was seeking a renewal of the 1998 Agreement and refusing to seek new manufacturers in their territory without consent. They accused Performance Sailcraft Australia of illegally importing their products into LP operational territory. At the end of the year LP refused to have ILCA undertake an inspection due to ILCA refusing to renew its license under the 1998 Agreement. This led to revoking of license as of 27 March 2019.[6]

In the wake of LP licence termination and lack of trademark agreement renewal, ILCA announced an "ILCA dinghy" - a renaming and rebranding proposal. The existing class-approved builders have agreed to use the new name.[7]

In opposition to ILCA, LP created "The Laser Class", which operated until 2024.

Due to trademark agreement expiration and antitrust policies (i.e. FRAND), In April 2019 all new class legal boats, sails and equipment is sold under ILCA name. The design also appears to have changed as boats now are up to 40mm shorter than the 220,000 boats in existence. Important to note, the FRAND vote was a name change but it appears there is a design change too.

In 2019, Laser Performance introduced ARC1 and ARC2 rigs with spars designed by Scott Ferguson and sails by Robbie Doyle. In response ILCA issued a statement about new rigs development progress, especially the "C-rigs" which were in development since 2015.[8]

As of February 13, 2023, shrink tubes are allowed.

In 2024 International Laser Class Association acquired control of all the royalty and legacy builder rights previously held by Global Sailing and Performance Sailcraft.

In 2025, Performance Sailcraft Australia license was revoked after refusing to use new ILCA issued molds. As they do not match the original design which would mean 220,000 boats would become obsolete as opposed to the 8,000 ILCAs made incorrectly.

## Production

PSA

PSJ

Ovington

Devoti

Rio Tecna

Nautivela

ZOU

E6E

Far East Boats

ZIM

Current approved ILCA dinghy buliders

### Current builders

- (since 1972) Performance Sailcraft Australia → Performance Sailcraft [9][10]

- (since 1974) Performance Sailcraft Japan [11]

- (since 2020) Ovington Boats (UK) [12]

- (since 2020) Devoti Sailing (Czech Republic) [13]

- (since 2020) Rio Tecna (Argentina) [14]

- (since 2020) Nautivela (Italy) [15]

- (since 2021) Qingdao Zou Inter Marine (China) [16]

- (since 2021) Element 6 Evolution (Thailand) [17]

- (since 2023) Far East Boats (China) [18]

- (since 2025) Zim Sailing (USA) [19]

### Previous builders

- (1970–1985) Performance Sailcraft (Canada, USA, South Africa) - bankruptcy

- (1989–1991) Laser International (Canada) - reestablished PSI

- (1989–1991) Pearson Small Boats (USA) - bankruptcy and separation of Sunfish Laser

- (1991–1997) Sunfish Laser - acquired by Vanguard Sailboats

- (1997–2007) Vanguard Sailboats → Quarter Moon (USA) - acquired by Performance Sailcraft Europe and merged into Laser Performance[20]

- (1983–2019) Performance Sailcraft Europe → LaserPerformance (UK) - licence revoked as of 27 March 2019[6]

Laser in original colours, as delivered in the 1970s

Sailor hiking out on a Laser Radial

After 2013 lawsuit Laser dinghies were manufactured under the company and name Kirby Torch.

After 2019 laser dinghies were still manufactured by LaserPerformance, but these boats are not licensed by World Sailing or ILCA and are not eligible for ILCA events or the Olympic Games.

## Design

The ILCA hull accommodates interchangeable rigs with different sail areas. This allows for a wide range of sailors to sail and compete in a range of wind conditions despite the Laser's small ideal crew weight range for a given rig. Three rigs are recognised by the International Laser Association: original [Laser Standard](/source/Laser_Standard) with a sail area of 7.06 m2; the [Laser Radial](/source/Laser_Radial) with a sail area of 5.76 m2; and the [Laser 4.7](/source/Laser_4.7) with a sail area of 4.7 m2.[21][22]

The ILCA'S hull is constructed from [fibreglass](/source/Fibreglass), the deck has a foam layer underneath for strength and buoyancy, and the [daggerboard](/source/Daggerboard) is removable for storage and transport. The dinghy is manufactured by independent companies under licence in different parts of the world.

As a one-design class of sailboat, all ILCA are built to the same specifications specified in the ILCA Construction Manual. The association carries out inspections on manufacturers to ensure that boats are being made to the correct design. These factory specifications are the measurement of boats in a traditional sense. Sailors are prohibited from making any changes to the hull, sail, and spars unless specifically and positively permitted by the rules and are only allowed to use original parts. At regattas, boats are not measured, but rather inspected to ensure conformity with the rules.[22]

The ILCA hull is 4.23 m (13.88 ft) long, with a [waterline length](/source/Waterline_length) of 3.96 m (12.99 ft). The hull weight is 59 kg (130 lb), which makes the boat light enough to lift onto a car-top rack.[23]

The various sizes of ILCA are all [cat-rigged](/source/Catboat). The ILCA sail has a sail area of 7.06 m2 (76.0 sq ft).[23]

The ILCAis designed to be sailed single-handed.[22]

## Variants

Lasers can be rigged with a variety of rigs. Three of these rigs, the Standard, Radial and 4.7 are recognised by the International Laser Association, while other rigs have also been developed by third parties and are also available.

Rig [21] Sail area (m2) Weight (kg) Ideal weight (kg) UK Portsmouth Yardstick[24] ILCA 7 7.06 70–95 80–84 1102 ILCA 6 5.76 55–78 66–70 1154 ILCA 4 4.7 40–60 51–55 1213

### ILCA 7 (Laser)

Main article: [Laser Standard](/source/Laser_Standard)

A Laser with the standard rigging

The ILCA 7, or Laser, is the original ILCA rig. It has been sailed as the Olympic men's singlehanded dinghy since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The ILCA 7 uses a [Portsmouth Yardstick](/source/Portsmouth_Yardstick) of 1101[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*]for racing involving other classes.[24] [US Sailing](/source/US_Sailing) sets its North American yardstick at DPN = 91.1.[25]

### ILCA 6 (Laser Radial)

Main article: [Laser Radial](/source/Laser_Radial)

In Europe the smaller ILCA 6, or Laser Radial, has surpassed the original Laser Standard sail in popularity and replaced the [Europe Dinghy](/source/Europe_(dinghy)) as the Women's Singlehanded Dinghy for the 2008 Olympics. The ILCA 6 uses the same hull and fittings as the ILCA 7, but has a smaller sail (5.8 m2) than the ILCA 7 with a different cut, and has a shorter lower mast section. Optimal weight for this rig is 121 to 159 pounds (55 to 72 kg). The ILCA 6 rig has a UK Portsmouth Yardstick number of 1150.[24] Its DPN is 96.7.[25]

### ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7)

Main article: [Laser 4.7](/source/Laser_4.7)

A smaller sail plan for the Laser, the ILCA 4, or Laser 4.7, was developed about a decade after the ILCA 6. The sail area was reduced by 35% from the ILCA 7 (from 7 to 4.7 square metres (75 to 51 sq ft)) with a shorter, pre-bent bottom mast section, depowering the sail, making the boat sail more like the original ILCA 7, and allowing even lighter sailors to sail the boat. The ILCA Formula is kept. The hull is the same as the ILCA 7 and ILCA 6. The optimal weight for this rig is 110–145 pounds (50–66 kg), thus becoming an ideal boat for young sailors moving from the [Optimist](/source/Optimist_(dinghy))/[RS Tera](/source/RS_Tera) who are still too light for a normal ILCA. The ILCA 4 rig has a UK Portsmouth Yardstick number of 1210.[24] Its DPN is 95.4.[25]

## Operational history

The ILCA is raced worldwide from club levels to international and Olympic competitions.

ILCA world championships are held in all three rigs and across junior, open, and masters age groups. In total in 2019, ILCA awarded 11 world championships. Places for world championships are limited due to high demand and are allotted to countries on the basis of the number of paid association members in each country.[22]

In the Olympics, men race in ILCA 7s and women race in ILCA 6s.[26]

### Class association

The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) governs boat specifications and competition. The class association operates on four levels: the world level; a regional level based around continents; a district level based around states in the US and Australia, and nations elsewhere; and at a local fleet level. The association plays a major role in ensuring conformity to Laser class rules worldwide.[22]

### Litigation

Bruce Kirby withdrew the license he had issued to LaserPerformance and later filed a lawsuit against LaserPerformance and Farzad Rastegar[27] on March 4, 2013, claiming non-payment of design royalties.[28] Kirby also claims that the LaserPerformance boats have had issues with quality and parts availability.[29] Kirby required the [International Sailing Federation](/source/International_Sailing_Federation) on March 25, 2013, to ask the International Laser Class Association to stop issuing ISAF license plaques to LaserPerformance (Europe) Limited, claiming that LaserPerformance were no longer a licensed builder.[30] Instead ISAF and the ILCA issued a new plaque design,[31] and changed the class rules so that a builder no longer needed to be licensed by Bruce Kirby.[32]

In 2019, the ILCA moved against LaserPerformance Europe (the UK licensed builder which is part of a group that also owned the trademark on the Laser name in much of the world) and withdrew its right to build officially measured boats. The ILCA has chosen the new name of "ILCA Dinghy" for the boat.[33]

In 2020, the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut found boat builder Quarter Moon (QMI) and LaserPerformance (Europe) Limited (LPE) liable for a sum of $6,857,736, payable to Kirby.[34][35]

## See also

- [Laser 2](/source/Laser_2), a double-handed dinghy.

- [LaserPerformance](/source/LaserPerformance), the manufacturer of many dinghies such as [Laser Pico](/source/Laser_Pico), [Laser Stratos](/source/Laser_Stratos) and the Laser.

- [Laser Pico](/source/Laser_Pico), a small double-handed dinghy designed by Jo Richards in the 1990s mainly for family use

- [Laser 4.7](/source/Laser_4.7)

- [Laser 28](/source/Laser_28)

- [Laser Radial](/source/Laser_Radial)

- [Laser World Championships](/source/Laser_World_Championships)

### Similar boats

- [Impulse (dinghy)](/source/Impulse_(dinghy))

- [RS Aero](/source/RS_Aero)

- [Phantom (dinghy)](/source/Phantom_(dinghy))

- [Force 5](/source/Force_5)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Chandlery, Sailing. ["The Most Frequently Asked Laser /ILCA Questions"](https://www.sailingchandlery.com/blogs/product-information/most-frequently-asked-laser-questions). *Sailing Chandlery*. Retrieved 5 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Kirby, Bruce. ["Article 2016"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160923044517/http://www.sailingworld.com/bringing-laser-to-life?src=SOC&dom=fb). *SailingWorld*. Archived from [the original](http://www.sailingworld.com/bringing-laser-to-life?src=SOC&dom=fb) on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Balfour, Dave. ["Remembering Ian Bruce"](https://www.dropbox.com/s/bis8evoblucc0f4/ImageGlobeandMail_IanBruce-4.pdf?dl=0) (PDF). *Globe and Mail*. Retrieved 3 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Blum, Andrew (23 April 2019). ["The story of the former Olympian who designed the world's most beloved boat"](https://www.popsci.com/bruce-kirby-laser-sailboat/). *Popular Science*. Retrieved 24 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Tillman, Richard L. (15 June 2005). [*The Complete Book of Laser Sailing*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Lbb1u_ktfvMC&q=International+Laser+Class+Association). McGraw Hill Professional. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-07-179210-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-07-179210-3).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_6-1) [https://ilcasailing.org/announcement-regarding-ilca-approved-builders/](https://ilcasailing.org/announcement-regarding-ilca-approved-builders/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** laserclass (25 April 2019). ["Olympic One-Person Sailing Dinghy Proposed Name Change"](https://ilcasailing.org/olympic-one-person-sailing-dinghy-completes-name-change/). *ILCA Sailing*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** laserclass (22 January 2019). ["Information for ILCA Members About New Rig Development"](https://ilcasailing.org/information-for-ilca-members-about-new-rig-development/). *ILCA Sailing*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [https://ilcasailing.org/ilca-withdraws-approval-of-performance-sailcraft-australia-psa/](https://ilcasailing.org/ilca-withdraws-approval-of-performance-sailcraft-australia-psa/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Performance Sailcraft Australia Official Statement 29th August 2025"](https://www.performancesailcraft.com/statement). *www.performancesailcraft.com*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** laserclass (21 August 2020). ["Ovington Boats Becomes Newest ILCA Builder"](https://ilcasailing.org/ovington-boats-becomes-newest-ilca-builder/). *ILCA Sailing*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** laserclass (11 September 2020). ["Devoti Sailing Named as ILCA Builder"](https://ilcasailing.org/devoti-sailing-named-as-ilca-builder/). *ILCA Sailing*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** laserclass (16 October 2020). ["RioTecna Approved as ILCA Builder"](https://ilcasailing.org/riotecna-approved-as-ilca-builder/). *ILCA Sailing*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** laserclass (20 November 2020). ["Nautivela Approved as ILCA Builder"](https://ilcasailing.org/nautivela-approved-as-ilca-builder/). *ILCA Sailing*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** laserclass (25 February 2021). ["Zou Inter Marine Approved as New Builder"](https://ilcasailing.org/zou-inter-marine-approved-as-new-builder/). *ILCA Sailing*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** laserclass (2 March 2021). ["Element 6 Evolution Approved as New Builder"](https://ilcasailing.org/element-6-evolution-approved-as-new-builder/). *ILCA Sailing*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** laserclass (12 August 2023). ["Far East Boats Approved as ILCA Builder"](https://ilcasailing.org/far-east-boats-approved-as-ilca-builder/). *ILCA Sailing*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Henkel, Maria Miranda (27 January 2025). ["Zim Sailing Approved as ILCA Builder"](https://ilcasailing.org/zim-sailing-approved-as-ilca-builder/). *ILCA Sailing*. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [https://psasailing.com.au/blogs/news/international-laser-class-association-the-past-present-and-future-of-our-class](https://psasailing.com.au/blogs/news/international-laser-class-association-the-past-present-and-future-of-our-class)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-davidson_21-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-davidson_21-1) Davidson, Tim (2017). *The Laser Book*. Leamington Spa: Fenhurst. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-912177-04-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-912177-04-2).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2019handbook_22-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2019handbook_22-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-2019handbook_22-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-2019handbook_22-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-2019handbook_22-4) International Laser Class Association. [*2019 Handbook: Constitution and Class Rules*](http://www.laserinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Handbook_2109.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 11 October 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Data_23-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Data_23-1) McArthur, Bruce (2020). ["Laser (International) sailboat"](https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/laser-international). *sailboatdata.com*. Retrieved 11 March 2021.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_24-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_24-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_24-3) Royal Yachting Association (February 2024). ["Portsmouth Number List 2024"](https://assets.rya.org.uk/assetbank-rya-assets/action/directLinkImage?assetId=50500). *Royal Yachting Association*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240524181228/https://assetbank-eu-west-1.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/rya-assets_87113cb4549df15cff38e2cd071931c5/1fd/PY_List_2024_1_.pdf?response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3D%221fd%2FPY_List_2024_1_.pdf%22%3B%20filename%2A%3DUTF-8%27%271fd%252FPY%255FList%255F2024%255F1%255F%252Epdf&response-content-type=application%2Fpdf&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20240524T181228Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=604800&X-Amz-Credential=AKIATJ7XNAYVAWNFIK7R%2F20240524%2Feu-west-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=81e9b9720dc05b1ad24c6625c66f2368e9a1309ee231f92c78fb565164bd496b) (PDF) from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UScb_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UScb_25-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-UScb_25-2) US Sailing (January 2018). ["North American Portsmouth Yardstick Table of Pre-Calculated Classes"](https://www.ussailing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-Portsmouth-Precalculated-Classes.pdf) (PDF). US Sailing. Retrieved 4 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing Schedule"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210812124038/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/sailing/olympic-schedule-and-results.htm). IOC. Archived from [the original](https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/sailing/olympic-schedule-and-results.htm) on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-KirbySueLP2013_27-0)** ["Bruce Kirby, Inc. et al v. LaserPerformance (Europe) Limited et al"](http://www.rfcexpress.com/lawsuits/trademark-lawsuits/connecticut-district-court/441418/bruce-kirby-inc-et-al-v-laserperformance-europe-limited-et-al/summary/). RFC Express. Retrieved 9 April 2013.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Sail World - The world's largest sailing news network; sail and sailing, cruising, boating news"](http://www.sail-world.com/Canada/ISAF-Laser-intervention---Supply-problems-looming?/109036). *sail-world.com*. Retrieved 22 March 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["COMMENTARY: It's the boat that matters, not the name >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News"](http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2013/04/24/commentary-its-the-boat-that-matters-not-the-name/). *sailingscuttlebutt.com*. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-HaltPlaques_30-0)** ["ISAF Halts Plaques To LaserPerformance"](http://www.kirbytorch.com/news/isafhaltsplaquestolaserperformance). Kirby Torch. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NewPlaques_31-0)** ["Statement from the International Laser Class Association"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130426003515/http://www.laserinternational.org/info/statementfromtheinternationallaserclassassociation). International Laser Class Association. Archived from [the original](http://www.laserinternational.org/info/statementfromtheinternationallaserclassassociation) on 26 April 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ILCAClassRules_32-0)** ["ILCA Class Rules"](http://www.laserinternational.org/rules/classrules). ILCA. Retrieved 23 April 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** Faust, Eric (25 April 2019). ["Laser – New name for Laser Class boat"](https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2019/04/25/new-name-for-laser-class-boat/). *Sailing Anarchy*. Retrieved 24 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Bruce Kirby wins Laser judgment"](https://www.canadianyachting.ca/lifestyle/profiles/5455-bruce-kirby-wins-laser-judgment). *Canadian Yachting*. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** Powlison, Dave (20 February 2020). ["Kirby Triumphs In Laser Lawsuit"](https://www.sailingworld.com/story/racing/kirby-triumphs-in-laser-lawsuit/). *Sailing World*. Retrieved 24 July 2021.

## External links

- [ILCA](https://www.laserinternational.org/)

[Wikimedia Commons](/source/Wikimedia_Commons) has media related to:

[Laser (dinghy)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Laser_(dinghy)) ([category](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Laser_(dinghy)))

v t e Classes of World Sailing Current Olympic classes 470 49er 49er FX Formula Kite IQFoil Laser Standard Laser Radial Nacra 17 Singlehanded classes Contender Europe Finn Laser 4.7 Laser Standard Laser Radial Moth Musto Skiff O'PEN Skiff OK Dinghy Optimist RS Tera RS100 Topper Zoom 8 Centreboard classes 29er 49er 49er FX 420 470 505 B14 Cadet Enterprise Fireball Flying Dutchman GP14 International 14 International FJ Lightning Mirror RS Feva RS500 Snipe Splash Sunfish Tasar Vaurien Keelboat classes 2.4 mR 5.5 m 6 mR 8 mR 12 mR Dragon Etchells FarEast 28R Flying Fifteen Hansa 2.3 Hansa 303 Hansa Liberty H-boat International One Design J/22 J/24 J/70 J/80 Melges 20 Melges 24 Melges 32 Micro Platu 25 RC44 SB20 Shark 24 Soling Sonar Star Tempest Viper 640 Yngling Yacht classes Class40 ClubSwan 50 Farr 40 IMOCA 60 J/111 Maxi Soto 40 Swan 45 TP 52 X-35 X-41 Multihull classes A-Class Dart 18 Formula 16 Formula 18 Hobie 14 Hobie 16 Hobie 17 Hobie Dragoon Hobie Tiger Hobie Wildcat Nacra 15 Nacra 17 Nacra F18 Infusion Nacra 20 Carbon Topcat K1 Tornado Board Classes Windsurfer Formula Experience Formula Windsurfing Funboard Funboard Youth IQFoil Kona Mistral Raceboard RS:One Speed Windsurfing Techno 293 Wing Techno WF130 X-15 Kite IKA Open IKA Formula Kite IKA Twin Top Racing IKA Twin Top Freestyle IKA Twin Top Kitefoil IRSA remote-control classes 10 rater A Class Marblehead One Metre Former World Sailing classes Boards Aloha Lechner A-390 Mistral Junior RS:X RS:X One Windglider Dinghies 29erXX Buzz Byte ISO Laser 2 Laser Vago Keelboats 11:Metre One Design Elliott 6m IOD Ultimate 20 Mulithulls C-Class Division I Division II Division III Hobie 17 Hobie 18 M32 Nacra F18 ORMA 60 SL 16 Viper F16 Yachts Farr 30 (Mumm 30) Farr 45 Farr Maxi One Design ORMA 60 Mumm 36 Open 50 Sydney 40 X-99 World championships in sailing * Offshore Racing Congress * Sailing at the Summer Olympics * Sailing at the Summer Paralympics

v t e Boats marketed by LaserPerformance One-person dinghies Laser 4.7 Laser Bug Laser Funboat Laser Pico Laser Radial Laser Standard Laser Vago Sunfish Vapor Optimist Two-person dinghies Club 420 Bahia Laser Vago Multihulls Dart 16 Keelboats Laser Stratos Keel Discontinued models Dart 15 Dart 20 Stampede Dart 6000 Dart Hawk (F18) Laser 2 Laser 13 Laser 16 Laser 28 Laser 4000 Laser 5000 Laser EPS Laser Stratos (Centreboard) Laser Vortex No longer associated with Laser Dart 18 Laser SB3 (SB20) Laser 2000 Laser 3000 (V3000)

v t e Olympic sailing classes Current classes 470 49er 49erFX Formula Kite IQFoil Laser Laser Radial Nacra 17 Former classes (In order of first use) Ton classes (0–½, ½–1, 1–2, 2–3, 3–10, 10–20, 20+ & Open) 6 Metre 7 Metre 8 Metre 12 Metre 10 Metre 12 foot dinghy 18 foot dinghy 6.5 Metre 8.5 Metre 9 Metre 15 Metre Skerry cruiser 30 m2 Skerry cruiser 40 m2 French National Monotype 1924 Snowbird Star O-Jolle Firefly Swallow Dragon 5.5 Metre Finn 12 m2 Sharpie Flying Dutchman Tempest Soling Tornado Windglider Division II Lechner A-390 Europe Mistral One Design Yngling RS:X Elliott 6m Youth classes Nacra 15 Techno 293 Former youth classes Byte

v t e Sailing dinghies Dinghies under 10 ft Cape Cod Frosty Flipper (US) Frog El Toro Fatty Knees Fly Holdfast Trainer Manly Junior Minto Montgomery 7-11 Naples Sabot O'PEN Skiff Optimist P Class Pelican Sabot Shrimp Starling Tadpole Topaz Taz US Sabot Zoom 8 Dinghies under 15 ft 0–K 10ft Skiff 12 foot dinghy 125 145 12ft Skiff 29er 29erXX skiff 2000 3000 420 470 American 14.6 ASC B14 Banshee Beetle Cat Beneteau First 14 Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Beverly Dinghy Barnett 1400 Blaze Blue Crab 11 Blue Jay Bombardier 3.8 Bombardier Invitation Bosun British Moth Bullet 14 Buzz Byte Cadet Capri Cyclone Cherub C-Lark Comet (UK) Coypu Dabchick Dart Designers Choice Dolphin 15 Senior Echo 12 Enterprise Europe Envy Farr 3.7 Finn Firefly Flying Ant Flying Eleven Force 5 GP14 Graduate Griffon Gull Howmar 12 Heron Houdini Idle-along Impulse Interclub Dinghy International 14 International FJ Javelin (NZ) Javelin (US) Jet 14 Jollyboat (NZ) Kite L–Z Lark Laser Standard Laser 2 Laser 3000 Laser 4.7 Laser 5000 Laser Pico Laser Radial Laser Vago Laser Vortex Lehman 12 Lehman Interclub Lido 14 Mark Marlin Melges 14 Merlin Rocket Metaf Metcalf MG14 Minisail Miracle Mirror Montgomery 7-11 Montgomery 12 Moth Musto Skiff National 12 NS14 OK Dinghy Otter Pacer Pegasus Penguin Phantom 14 Phantom Precision 13 Precision 14 Puffer Rascal 14 RS Aero RS Feva RS Neo RS Quest RS Tera RS Vareo RS100 RS200 RS300 RS400 RS500 RS600 RS700 RS800 Sabre Scorpion Skimmer Skipjack 15 Skunk 11 Snark Snowbird Solo Speedball 14 Spindrift 13 Spiral Splash Streaker Sunburst Sunfish Surprise 15 Tanzer 14 Tasar Tech Dinghy Topper Topper Topaz Topaz Magno Topaz Vibe Transit 380 Twitchell 12 Vagabond Vaurien Wanderer Waszp Water Wag Widgeon 12 Woodpussy Zeddie Zephyr Dinghies under 20 ft 0–K 16ft Skiff 18 foot dinghy 18ft Skiff 470 49er 505 Albacore Apollo 16 Australian Sharpie Beaufort Bombardier 4.8 Buccaneer 18 Cape Cod Gemini Cape Cod Mercury 15 Caprice 15 CL 16 Comet (US) Contender Coronado 15 Corsair Day Sailer Flying Dutchman Flying Scot French National Monotype 1924 Geary 18 Gloucester 15 Hampton One-Design Holiday 20 Hornet Interlake International Canoe ISO Jacksnipe Javelin (Europe) Jersey Skiff Jollyboat (UK) Jolly Boat JY15 L–Z Laser 4000 Laser Stratos Leeward 16 Lelievlet Lightning Melges 15 Menger Cat 15 Mirror 16 Mistral 16 Mobjack Mud Hen 17 Mutineer 15 O-Jolle Paceship 20 Payne-Mortlock sailing canoe Picnic 17 Pirate Precision 15 CB Precision 16 Precision 185 CB Ranger 16 Rebel 16 Rhodes 18 Rhodes 19 RS Vision RS700 RS800 RS Venture S2 5.5 Salcombe Yawl Sea Bright Sea Scout Standard Boat (BP18) Snipe Tanzer 16 12m2 Sharpie Thistle Topaz Omega US1 Vanguard 15 Wayfarer Windmill Windy Winkle Brig X Boat Dinghies 20 ft or over Dovekie 21 Highlander Norfolk Punt Sea Pearl 21 Scows A Scow Butterfly C Scow E Scow Fireball Flipper (Danish) I-20 Melges 17 M Scow MC Scow Puddle Duck Racer Thames A-class rater Y Flyer Multihulls Catamarans A-Class Catalina Catamaran Cheshire 14 Dart 16 Dart 18 DC-14 Phantom Flying Phantom Elite Flying Phantom Essentiel Formula 16 Formula 18 G-Cat 5.0 G-Cat 5.7 Hobie 14 Hobie 16 Hobie 17 Hobie Bravo Hobie Dragoon Hobie Tiger Hobie Wave Hobie Wildcat Isotope Kona 14 Nacra 5.2 Nacra 15 Nacra F16 Nacra 17 Nacra F18 Infusion Nacra 20 Carbon M32 Phantom 14 Phantom 16 Phoenix 18 Prindle 18 Prindle 18-2 Shearwater III SL 16 Topcat K1 Tornado Trac 14 Trac 16 Viper F16 Trimarans Astus 14.1 Wētā

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Laser (dinghy)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_(dinghy)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_(dinghy)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.